The activists had set out to protest Israel’s ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which is among the deadliest and most destructive since World War II, and its restrictions on the entry of aid.

Israel's foreign ministry has branded it a "selfie yacht", while Thunberg says she has been "kidnapped" after Israeli forces boarded the vessel.

Israel has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg and other prominent activists, detaining those onboard, with the vessel being taken to Israel.